Atlantic East Conference: Season 2025-26
American East Conference 2025-26
Tournament Winner: Neumann University
Coach of the Year: Chris LaBelle
American East Conference Final: Neumann University - Gwynedd-Mercy College 66-65 Neumann University (Jim Rullo): Donte Dupriest, Bryan Etienne, Izaiah Young-El, DJ Earl, Emeer Coombs, Aaron Williams, Julian Phillips, Srdjan Vujanovic, Aaron Lewis, Miles Johnson, Tivon Woolford, CJ Miles, Aarick Salata Standings 2025-26
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Team
W-L
AEC
- qualified to the play-offs
Arrived: Aarick Salata (Cabrini College)
Average Height: 185.8 cm (6'1.2'')
Average Age: 23.0
 Neumann Takes Home 2026 Men's Basketball Championship-Mar 2, 2026
The Neumann University men's basketball team came into the Atlantic East postseason as the No. 4 seed and defeated No. 2 seeded Gwynedd Mercy 66-65 to win their second straight Championship on Saturday afternoon. Bryan Etienne was named the MVP and finished with a double-double: 21 points and 13 rebounds. Donte Dupriest also added 21 points, went 5-for-5 from the line, scored the game-winning point, added seven board and six assists. Jarell Keel (6'3''-F) grabbed nine rebounds. Jayson Love (6'2''-G) and Izaiah Johnson Young-El each added eight points. Over the first seven minutes of the game, there were five lead changes and four tied scores. Tied at 18, the Knights scored the next seven points to take a 25-18 advantage The Griffins answered with the next six to pull within one. After two more baskets, the teams were once again tied, this time at 27 with 6:57 left in the first half. Back-to-back three's by Love and Dupriest put Neumann up 36-29 heading into the final three minutes of the half. The team's traded baskets before the buzzer and the Knights took a 37-31 lead into the break. The Knights held the Griffins at arm's length until with 12:25 left in regulation a Gwynedd Mercy three-pointer gave it a 48-47 edge. It was in the middle an 11-0 run for the Griffins in which they built a 52-47 lead. With 5:57 on the clock, the teams were once again tied, this time at 57. The teams traded baskets and had tied scores four more times. With 2:03 left in regulation, a Griffins layup gave them a 65-63 edge. Neither team would find the basket again until Dupriest connected on a layup with seven seconds remaining, and was fouled. The senior stepped up the to line and sank the free throw to put the Knights in the lead, 66-65. Gwynedd Mercy dribbled up the court and could not get the last second layup to fall and Neumann came away with the 66-65 win. This is the fifth NCAA appearance for the Knights, all under Head Coach Jim Rullo. This will also be the first time the Knights head to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. Neumann (19-9) will now wait for the NCAA Tournament announcement on Monday to see where it heads to next. Courtesy of atlanticeast.com All-Atlantic East Awards 2026-Mar 4, 2026
 Donte Dupriest, forward from the Neumann University, was voted the Player of the Year at the NCAA Division III.
He was also chosen to the First Team.
Dupriest was previously selected as the Regular Season Co-Champion, Tournament Winner, Tournament MVP, Player of the Year and named to the First Team last year.
DJ Johnson, guard from the Gwynedd-Mercy College, was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year of NCAA Division III.
He also earned a spot in the First Team.
Johnson previously earned the Tournament Semifinals and 2025, Rookie of the Year back in 2023, Regular Season Runner-Up, Tournament Finalist back in 2024 and Regular Season Co-Champion last year.
DJ Earl, guard from the Neumann University, was voted to the First Team at the NCAA Division III.
He previously picked up the Regular Season Co-Champion, Tournament Winner and selected to the Second Team last year.
Among many awards he was selected to the NJCAA D2 All-Region XX First Team back in 2023.
He was also selected to the All-Atlantic East Second Team in 2025.
Anthoney McClary, guard from the Marymount University, was chosen to the First Team of NCAA Division III.
He was previously named the Regular Season Co-Champion and Tournament Finalist last year.
Kenneth Rankin, guard from the Centenary College, New Jersey, was named to the First Team at the NCAA Division III.
He previously earned a spot in the First Team last year.
All-Tournament MVP:  Bryan Etienne (6'3''-G) of NeumannPlayer of the Year: Donte Dupriest (6'4''-F) of NeumannDefensive Player of the Year: DJ Johnson (6'0''-G) of GMCRookie of the Year: Kurt Thomas (6'4''-F) of PrattScholar-Athlete of the Year: Pat Bean (6'1''-G) of GMCCoach of the Year: Chris LaBelle of Centenary, NJ All-Atlantic East First Team 2026  Dupriest  Earl  Johnson  McClary  Rankin Donte Dupriest (6'4''-F) of Neumann DJ Earl (6'0''-G) of Neumann DJ Johnson (6'0''-G) of GMC Anthoney McClary (6'0''-G) of Marymount Kenneth Rankin (6'2''-G) of Centenary, NJAll-Atlantic East Second Team 2026  Crews  Harris  Highsmith  Himmelberg  McEachern  Monroe Dylan Crews (5'10''-G) of Immaculata Dylan Harris (6'1''-G) of GMC CJ Highsmith (6'9''-C) of Marymount Collin Himmelberg (6'4''-G) of Marywood Reuben McEachern (5'10''-G) of Marymount Tye'Rell Monroe (6'5''-G) of St.Elizabeth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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